All Blacks to 'practise' against BaaBaas
Tue, 14 Oct 2008 19:42
The All Blacks are set to play a warm-up match, against the New Zealand Barbarians, ahead of their year-end tour to Hong Kong, Ireland and the United Kingdom.
New Zealand coach Graham Henry will only announce his tour squad, for the four-Test tour, on Sunday, October 26.
However, the squad - which has virtually been finalised - will play a warm-up match in Auckland West next Wednesday, October 22, at Trusts Stadium in Waitakere next Wednesday.
The Kiwis take on Australia in the fourth and final Bledisloe Cup Test in Hong Kong on November 1, having already secured the trans-Tasman trophy.
They then head to Scotland, followed by Test against Ireland and Wales.
The All Blacks will warm up against a New Zealand Barbarians side coached by Pat Lam and consisting of players from the Blues franchise area.
The game will also serve as a Blues trial.
Henry admitted almost two weeks ago the touring squad was already as good as picked.
The match continues attempts to revive a New Zealand Barbarians team that played its last meaningful match against England at Twickenham in 2003.
